Spanish Minister of Science and Innovation visits Portugal

"Strengthening the collaboration between Portugal and Spain through Science is strategic to both countries", said Elvira Fortunato and Diana Morant, following the bilateral meeting where the Ministers of Portugal and Spain discussed strengthening the scientific relations between both countries. 

The Portuguese Minister of Science, Technology and Higher Education was pleased with the relations with the neighbouring country: "What unites us is not just the geographical proximity, but also how close we stand", namely in terms of science and innovation, she claimed.

The bilateral meeting fell under the Spanish Minister of Science and Innovation’s visit and a series of initiatives to tighten relations between Portugal and Spain. 

On the agenda were the Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory in Braga, and the memorandums of understanding on the Atlantic Constellation and the Iberian Energy Storage Centre in Cáceres, as well as the development of collaboration lines on the Chips Act.

Elvira Fortunato and Diana Morant visited the Iberian Nanotechnology in Braga, founded by the Portuguese and Spanish Governments with the aim of conducting interdisciplinary research in the field of nanotechnology.

The Iberian Energy Storage Research Centre is also based on the cooperation between Portugal, Spain and the European Commission and its aim is to develop renewable energy storage, management and transport research and technologies. 

This centre, whose works tender has already been launched, will have an initial investment of 74 million euros. Minister Elvira Fortunato reiterated the Portuguese State’s commitment to take on 50% of the maintenance costs, as is the case with the Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory.